| KNITTING FACTORY
74 Leonard St., between Broadway and Church St. (212-219-3132)—Jan. 12: The 2008 NYC Winter Jazzfest settles in to its home. Among the bands appearing are Ben Allison and Man Size Safe, David Murray’s Black Saint Quartet, Dave Douglas’s Magic Circle, Wayne Horvitz’s Sweeter Than the Day, the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and a trio with Don Byron, Iva Bittova, and Lisa Moore.
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On the Cover: DAVID MURRAY
By Russ Musto; photos by Enid Farber
The most widely recorded saxophonist of his generation, David Murray's brawny tenor has been heard in a dizzying array of configurations: solo recitals, pianoless trios, duets with pianists and drummers; with the World Saxophone Quartet and his own quintets, sextets and octets; fronting big bands and orchestras with string sections and AfroCuban percussion ensembles; in the company of poets, singers and dancers and guitarists from James Blood Ulmer to Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead; and most recently with the Gwo-ka Masters of Guadeloupe. But these days the veteran avant gardist has settled into that most traditional of all saxophonic settings, the quartet with piano, bass and drum accompaniment that has long been the forum of choice for tenorists from Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster to Dexter Gordon and John Coltrane. Murray is at the Knitting Factory Winter Jazzfest Jan. 12th.
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| NYC WINTER JAZZFEST For the next five days the Association of Performing Arts Presenters converges on New York for its annual conference, a gathering of industry types who share (among other things) a pressing need for new artists and ideas. And for the fourth consecutive year the producer Brice Rosenbloom is courting that constituency with the NYC Winter Jazzfest, spread throughout the three floors of the Knitting Factory. For conference attendees as well as the nearly two dozen participating groups, the aim of this marathon, or smorgasbord, is exposure. But since it’s open to the public and a bargain ($25 for the night), it also translates into one of the more exciting jazz events of the season.
As in previous years Mr. Rosenbloom’s lineup favors slightly experimental artists, often in working bands. This includes ensembles led by the Iraqi-American trumpeter Amir ElSaffar, the Israeli bassist Omer Avital and the South African tenor saxophonist Zim Ngqawana. (Internationalism is another hallmark of the festival, which was partly supported this year by the French Embassy and the Mexican Institute of Culture.) Chamber music will be represented by Magic Circle, a trio organized by the trumpeter Dave Douglas; and another trio consisting of the Czech violinist Iva Bittova, the Australian pianist Lisa Moore and the Bronx-born clarinetist Don Byron. The bassist Ben Allison will lead Man Size Safe, a quintet with a new album releasing this month. Other groups will reflect the ambitions of the saxophonists Donny McCaslin, J. D. Allen, Matana Roberts and Jerome Sabbagh; the guitarists Brad Shepik and Doug Wamble; and the keyboardists Wayne Horvitz and Eldar, among others.
The big fish in the pond will be David Murray, a tenor saxophonist whose sound and style can sometimes suggest a force of nature. Mr. Murray, above, recently made a politically charged album called “Sacred Ground” (JustinTime) with his Black Saint Quartet, the group he leads here. Because he was a prominent figure in the artist-run loft scene of the 1970s, his presence carries historical weight as well. (Saturday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street, TriBeCa, 212-219-3132, winterjazzfest.com; cover, $25) NATE CHINEN
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MUSIC: Jazz
2008 NYC Winter Jazzfest
When - Sat Jan 12 (6pm)
Where - Knitting Factory (74 Leonard St, 212.219.3132)
Price - $25
The seductive sound of jazz is drifting out of the Knitting Factory's door, so get out of the cold at the 2008 NYC Winter Jazzfest. Musicians from Japan, Russia, South Africa, Brooklyn, and everywhere in between make up 23 groups showcasing the rich genre's many facets. Highlights include bassist Omer Avital, a musician with aggressive and sentimental sides (see "Homeland" versus "Night Song"), and violinist/erhu player Meg Okura and her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. Okura's off-the-cuff runs are exceptional — she's collaborated with artists ranging from Herbie Hancock to R&B diva Mary J. Blige. Hang up your winter coat — the music's hot enough inside. - Phil Kropoth
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2008 WINTER JAZZFEST
Knitting Factory Main Space
74 Leonard St
New York, NY 10013
Tribeca
Phone: (212) 219-3006
Jazz, Arts, Where to Hear, By Day
You've been meaning to pay attention to the jazz scene, but just haven't done it. NP: this crowded evening of artists (the bill's got 20 bands) is a pan-everything buzz bomb of progswing, funkprov, and freebop with enough scope to give you a taste of the city's finest. Dave Douglas's violin and bass outfit, JD Allen's mercurial trio, David Murray's muscular quartet, Travis Sullivan's Bjork big band, Omer Avital's spiritual ruminations, and the return of Wayne Horvitz are just the tip of the iceburg.
(MACNIE)
Price Info: $25
Sat, Jan 12, 06:00 pm
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2008 Winter Jazz Festival
Price:$25
Venue:Knitting Factory
Times: Sat 6pm.
Address: 74 Leonard St between Broadway and Church St Tribeca
Phone:212-219-3132
Travel: Subway: 1 to Franklin St
Website:knittingfactory.com
See “Changing partners,” page 115, for Ben Allison, who appears tonight with his band Man Size Safe. At its original location on Houston, the Knitting Factory was synonymous with cutting-edge jazz. That reputation is a distant memory now, but the club’s annual Winter Jazz Festival makes us think twice. This year’s edition features an outstanding array of talent, from heavyweights David Murray, Don Byron and Dave Douglas to rising stars Matana Roberts and Amir ElSaffar. See winterjazzfest.com for a complete performer list and more info.
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